Pan Atlantic University Graduation – And Women Took All The Accolades

BY ESOHE IYARE

“Don’t wait for Nigeria to be better, to be the best; be the best and Nigeria will be better!” said the Pro-Chancellor, Mr Odein Ajumogobia, at the 16th graduation ceremony of Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos.

Though these words were said to all, one can assume they were particularly directed at ‘the best of the best’; and they were all women.

It was a ‘girl power’ moment in the Honey Well Auditorium of Lagos Business School (an extension of PAU), as lady after lady ascended the quad to receive prestigious awards.

All but one of all the titles awarded were bagged by these bright young women; and 80% of all students who earned a first class degree, in Accounting, Business Administration, and Mass Communication, were also women.

Perhaps, one of the most astounding achievers, was Dawodu Eniola. She graduated with a second class (upper division) in Accounting, but was already a chartered accountant! She qualified for the title bestowed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), while still a student.

Unsurprisingly, the best graduating student was also a lady, Udom Edidong with a CGPA of 4.95. She has already been snapped up by Esade Business School, Spain, for a master’s degree, and had to fly in from Spain to receive the award personally.

This move by the Esade Business School confirms the testimony of the Vice Chancellor–Prof. Juan Elegibo in his opening remark, that the PAU graduates had a success rate of 90% in their professional careers.

A good number of them launched their own businesses, and it is about these that Prof. Juan said ‘I would like to stress that they (their businesses) are intentional and highly focused!”.This he said to dispel any thoughts that entrepreneurship was a fallback for those who had failed to secure a job.

All in all, the day was truly a win for women, and many in the audience were of the opinion that the dauntless ambition, thirst for excellence, and eagerness to serve humanity–which PAU and succeeded in imbibing in these ladies, signaled the dawn of a brighter future for us all.